Have a feeling you're pregnant? The only way to know for sure is by taking a pregnancy test. But just after conception, your body may give you a few hints that a pregnancy is starting.
Conception happens in the middle of a regular menstrual cycle, when an egg is released into a fallopian tube and then fertilized by sperm. It takes 6-12 days for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus. At that point, a pregnancy begins.
Early Signs of Pregnancy
At the start of a pregnancy, the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone releases into the blood. Pregnancy tests detect hCG (often called "the pregnancy hormone") around 11 days after conception. Hormonal changes cause the early symptoms of pregnancy.
Spotting and cramping
One of the earliest signs of pregnancy — spots of blood — happens when the fertilized egg attaches itself to the wall of your uterus. That's called implantation bleeding. It happens anywhere around 6-12 days after the egg is fertilized.
You may have cramping that seems like period cramps, too. With the cramping and spotting, you might think it's the start of your period. But the bleeding and cramps are lighter than they are with a period. Or, you may not notice spotting or cramping at all.
Breast changes
Your breasts may tingle and become tender, sore, or swollen a week or two after the fertilized egg implants into the uterus. As hormone levels continue to rise, your breasts may feel heavier, fuller, or tender to the touch. The area around the nipples, called the areola, may also darken.
Breast soreness gets better after a few weeks, once your body gets used to the new pregnancy hormone levels.
Fatigue
Feeling very tired is normal in pregnancy, starting early on. It's often related to a high level of a hormone called progesterone, although other things such as lower levels of blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and a boost in blood production can also lead to it.
Nausea (morning sickness)
Morning sickness is a well-known symptom of pregnancy. But it doesn't happen to everyone.
The exact cause of morning sickness isn't known, but pregnancy hormones likely lead to it. Nausea during pregnancy may happen at any time of the day, but it's most common in the morning.
Morning sickness usually stops around the 13th or 14th week of pregnancy. But it's possible that it can last for an entire pregnancy. If you are vomiting throughout your pregnancy, tell your doctor, and avoid becoming dehydrated.
Missed period
The most obvious early symptom of pregnancy — and the one that prompts most people to get a pregnancy test — is a missed period. But not all missed or delayed periods are caused by pregnancy.
It might be that you gained or lost too much weight. Hormonal problems, fatigue, or stress are other possibilities for missed or delayed periods. You might miss your period when you stop taking birth control pills. But if a period is late and pregnancy is possible, you may want to get a pregnancy test.
Also, you can have some bleeding during pregnancy. If you do, talk to your doctor to know when bleeding is normal and when it's a sign of an emergency.
Raised body temperature
During pregnancy, the amount of blood flowing through your body rises to support a growing fetus. That may make you feel a little warmer than you usually do.
Increased heart rate
Throughout pregnancy, your heart rate rises, beating 10-20 beats faster per minute than when you're not pregnant. Having more blood in your body during pregnancy means your heart has to pump a little more than usual.
Frequent urination and incontinence
The rise in hormones during pregnancy leads to a rise in the amount of blood in your body. That blood must be filtered through the kidneys, so the amount of urine you make increases, too. You may find that you pee more often, starting early in pregnancy. And as the fetus grows throughout the pregnancy, you may leak urine (incontinence). Leaks may happen when you cough, sneeze, or laugh.
Bloating and constipation
During pregnancy, you may find it's hard to poop because your poop is too hard. Here's why:
- Higher levels of the hormone progesterone causes food to pass more slowly through your intestines. You may feel bloated and have trouble pooping.
- If you're taking prenatal vitamins, the iron in them may cause waste to sit in your bowels too long, especially if you don't drink enough water.
- As your baby grows, your uterus may press on your bowels.
To ease the problem, drink plenty of water, exercise, and eat plenty of high-fiber foods.
Cravings and food aversions
Some people crave certain foods when they're pregnant. Some can't stand certain foods. The effect can be so strong that the smell, the sight, or even the thought of what used to be a favorite food could turn your stomach.
Cravings and aversions are related to hormonal changes. And you may have both!
It's possible that cravings and food aversions can last for the entire pregnancy. But they usually fade during the second trimester.
Weight gain
You likely won't notice much weight gain early in pregnancy — maybe 1-4 pounds as early changes happen, such as your breasts getting larger and the amount of blood in your body rising. Typically weight gain happens more in the second and third trimesters. That's when the placenta grows, the uterus and fetus get bigger, your body makes more amniotic fluid, and you store some fat. Altogether, depending on your weight at the start of a pregnancy, you'll gain 11-40 pounds during pregnancy (25-50 if you have twins).
Heartburn
Heartburn has nothing to do with your heart. It's just the burning sensation you feel in your chest when stomach acid surges up into your throat. It's unpleasant, for sure. When you're pregnant, your progesterone level rises. Progesterone has a few effects that can cause heartburn:
- Food moves through your digestive system more slowly, raising the chance of heartburn.
- Tissues such as ligaments and muscles relax and stretch, including the sphincter between your stomach and esophagus. That lets acid back up into your esophagus, causing the burning sensation.
- Your uterus gets bigger as your fetus grows, and the placenta releases progesterone. As the uterus grows, it may press on your stomach and cause some heartburn.
If you have heartburn during pregnancy, talk to your doctor before taking any over-the-counter antacids. And know that once you deliver your baby, this unpleasant symptom should stop.
Pregnancy glow and acne
Some pregnant women glow. Some get acne. Some have both. Hormones are the culprit here again. As the amount of blood flowing through your body rises, you may notice a rosy glow. But as hormone levels change during pregnancy, your skin may become more oily, too. That can make you look radiant, but it could also lead to acne. That's more likely if you had acne before your pregnancy. If you have acne during pregnancy, talk to your doctor before treating it. Some oral medicine and retinoids used on the skin are not safe during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says four ingredients used on the skin can be used during pregnancy:
- Azelaic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Glycolic acid
- Salicylic acid
Does Everyone Get Early Symptoms of Pregnancy?
The experience of being pregnant differs for everyone. Not every woman has early signs or symptoms. And those who have signs and symptoms may not have the same ones. The same woman might even have different signs and symptoms from one pregnancy to the next.
Because the early symptoms of pregnancy often mimic the symptoms you might have right before and during your period, you may not realize you're pregnant. The only way to be sure is through a pregnancy test.
Takeaways
When it comes to pregnancy, every woman's experience is unique. Some women may think they're pregnant before they miss a period. Others may not realize they're pregnant for a while. There are some early signs of pregnancy that might give you a hint. Early pregnancy symptoms may include sore breasts, missing your period, spotting or cramping, feeling tired, nausea, and more. Shifts in hormones cause many of the signs and symptoms as your body changes to support a pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, the only way to be sure is to take a pregnancy test.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms FAQs
How soon do early pregnancy symptoms start?
Early signs of pregnancy, such as fatigue, can start as soon as a week after the egg is fertilized.
What symptoms can you feel in the first three days of a pregnancy?
Around the time the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of your uterus, you may notice symptoms such as spotting or cramping. Once the fertilized egg attaches to the uterus, the pregnancy begins. At that point, your hormones start to change. Your breasts may become tender and you may feel tired.
Can you feel pregnant before your missed period?
Yes, your body may give you a few signs of pregnancy before you miss your period. A pregnancy can begin as soon as six days after the egg is fertilized. That may be a week or so before your next period is supposed to begin. During that week before your period, the level of the "pregnancy hormone" (hCG) rises. Around the time you miss your period, the level of hCG is usually high enough to be spotted by a pregnancy test.
Can you experience these symptoms when you are not pregnant?
Of course. Many of these symptoms can happen even when you're not pregnant. For example, you may miss a period if your monthly menstrual cycle is irregular. You may feel fatigued, nauseous, or warm due to a virus. And you can get heartburn from spicy wings or greasy pizza, not just pregnancy.
